He graduated from the USMA in 1846, served in the Mexican war, and resigned his commission in 1854; he then practiced law. In May 1861 he recruited and organized the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment and was its Colonel, seeing action in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. In June 1862 he was appointed BGen. of Volunteers, and then commanded the 3rd Brigade/1st Division/II Corps (XII Corps?) at Cedar Mountain and Chantilly.

On the Campaign

He continued in command of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division/Twelfth (XII) Corps until he relieved the wounded BGen Crawford in command of the Division.

The rest of the War

He led his Brigade on the Suffolk campaign commanded a division in the siege of Charleston and served (doing what?) in Arkansas Florida and Eastern VA.